The two-year-old School of Education and Human Development at SMU announced its first dean on May 31. David Chard was named dean of the SMU School of Education and Human Development. Chard will join SMU in the fall and replace the interim Dean U. Narayan Bhat.

Chard comes to SMU from the University of Oregon where he was the associate dean in the College of Education.

“Dr. Chard brings just the right blend of experience and expertise to move our new School of Education and Human Development forward, especially in its early, formative years,” said SMU Interim Provost Thomas Tunks.

Chard has published more than 30 research articles and co-authored 12 books. The new dean received a Ph.D. in special education from the University of Oregon and a B.S. degree in mathematics and chemistry education from Central Michigan University. Chard taught public school in California and he was a Peace Corps educator in Lesotho, Africa. He has also served as a research review panelist for the National Science Foundation and U.S. Department of Education.

“I am very honored and excited to become the Dean for the School of Education and Human Development at SMU,” Chard said. “I see this as an opportunity for us to build on the exceptional work already under way.”

– compiled by The Daily Campus